WILD SPORT IN BRITTANY. 123 



lauding the hounds, Kergoorlas was busy in apologizing for 

 their misdeed : 



"I know," he said, " the wolf must have jumped up in view 

 before them, and so lifted their noses from the old scent. I 

 had hoped the frequent infusion of the grey-griffon blood and 

 that, too, of your kennel, St. Prix had cured that love of 

 change so inherent in the smooth Vendean hounds." 



" A mere accident," responded the Louvetier, " to which the 

 best bred and best trained hounds in the world would always be 

 liable : a view is a'fatal temptation at all times." 



Kergoorlas was very proud of his hounds, and for many 

 years had devoted the closest attention to the improvement of 

 their blood as well as to their discipline in the field : and,, 

 although St. Prix's observation was perfectly true, it scarcely 

 sufficed to allay the vexation he so keenly felt, owing to this 

 flagrant riot having been witnessed by all. 



" Would I could pitch on the ringleaders," he said, angrily,. 

 " I'd make an example of them they would not readily forget." 



" Well," said St. Prix, always the hounds' friend, " it is rather 

 late now, after the worry, to chastise them for a fault, thereby 

 condoned. Punishment, to be effectual, should instantly follow 

 the riot, flagrante delicto, or the hound will suffer without knowing 

 why or wherefore." 



" By the death of this wolf, M. de Kergoorlas, you have done 

 a rare good service," interposed M. Richard, the mayor of the 

 commune ; " and I propose, with the sanction of M. de St. Prix, 

 to hand over the Government bounty to your piqueurs. We 

 have yet other days for hunting the boar ; and I trust you will 

 be able to give a satisfactory account of them ere the week 

 ends." 



"With all my heart," responded St. Prix, gladly helping to 

 turn the conversation into another channel, and hoping to soften 

 the irritation M. de Kergoorlas too evidently felt. " They have 



